Brown talks terrorism, immigration during Londonderry Rotary event

LONDONDERRY — During an appearance in Londonderry Wednesday, U.S. Senate candidate Scott Brown contemplated what would happen if Capitol Hill was run like the local Rotary Club.

“Your mission is one of friendship, of community service,” Brown told the small crowd of Rotarians seated in the audience. “But that’s not the case in (Washington) D.C. They’re not friends, they’re not working together.”

.Brown, who attended the early morning breakfast with his wife, Gail Huff, mingled with about 25 local business owners and town officials before stepping up to the podium.

He began his speech on a solemn note, inviting his audience to join him in a brief moment of silence for slain New Hampshire journalist James Foley...Later, the former Massachusetts senator criticized the Islamic militant group believed responsible for Foley’s violent death, as well as the current state of foreign policies.

“The goal of ISIS is to take over a country, of the world,” Brown said. “Right now, I feel like the whole world is on fire.”..“Our allies don’t trust us and our foes don’t fear or respect us,” he continued. “And our president is off playing golf.”

“We have to secure the borders once and for all,” he said. “When it comes to children, of course we need to treat them with compassion. We need to work with some of these countries, establish more embassies, and really get to the root of what’s going on.”..Other topics tackled included Obamacare, taxes, energy costs and his potential Democratic opponent, U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen.

“As things go forward, things will get pretty intense,” he said of the current political climate. “I will never say anything that’s mean spirited when it comes to (Shaheen). But I will certainly discuss both of our voting records.”..Some of the Rotarians offered up some thoughts on their most pressing issues.

Longtime Londonderry resident Reed Clark said he fears for his grandchildren’s futures, particularly when it comes to the dangers presented by religious extremist groups...“I’m very worried they may take the brunt of ISIS,” Clark said. “I’m worried about our foreign policy.”

“The only way to address what’s happening now is with your votes,” Brown told him.

George Brooks III of Brooks Real Estate Services in Londonderry said he’s concerned about the challenges posed by increased immigration, particularly in the nearby city of Manchester...“It’s something you worry about when you hear that there are over 60 languages being spoken in some of the schools,” Brooks said.